As the service learning program nears the conclusion of its second year, its leaders prepare for the final projects on May 22 and reflect on the success and challenges of the still budding program.
Service learning, which is defined as the incorporation of community service within an educational system, has begun implementation into PHS’s curriculum over the past two years. The program has included class-wide projects, assemblies, videos and various speakers all relating to each grade’s themes; freshmen have environment, sophomores have discrimination, juniors have poverty and homelessness, and seniors have economic disparity.
Freshmen have already removed ivy behind the 20’s building in preparation for a garden. On May 22, they will plant and mulch, as well as remove more ivy.
“We’re hoping that kind of gardening and landscaping will spread to other areas of campus,” Goen said. “The science department is also going to be able to use this as an outdoor classroom.”
On May 18, sophomores will choose between seven activities aimed at fostering empathy and building community. They will participate in four of these activities on May 22.
The junior class’ service learning curriculum has consisted of two drives supporting teens in the Bay Area by collecting toiletries and used clothes. Their project on May 22 will consist of sorting clothes and creating care packages with the items collected in the drive.
“I’m really excited to work on this year’s project because I feel like we have the opportunity to really make a change in a way that it really relevant to students,” said LEAP into Service Club member junior Ryan Howzell.
For Service Learning Coordinator Courtney Goen, incorporating the service learning themes in a relevant way during classes has been a large priority.
The sophomores, who focus on discrimination, have been led in discussions around Ferguson and the Eric Garner case in English classes. The freshmen, whose theme is environment, are completing landscaping projects with science classes.
“We want service learning to be more concrete and connected, and to find more ways to link the themes to school,” Goen said.
The seniors’ project will consist of traveling off campus to different organizations, with one group missing Day on the Green to help out Habitat for Humanity.
Other changes in the program this year include an opportunity for students to be a part of the curriculum by joining the LEAP into Service Club, which meets every Thursday at lunch in room 15 to discuss give feedback, provide input and develop future projects.
“Last year, students were only really involved with planning the junior project — the other projects were led by teachers.” co-president senior Sofia Siqueira said, “This year, there’s more of a chance for students to be involved in designing service learning through the club.”
With more student input, the service learning program only hopes to become a stronger and more integral part of the PHS curriculum.
“As a new program, we’re still trying to find our footing and figure out the best way to reach out to students and the community in an interesting, hands-on way, but we have big hopes for the future of this program,” Howzell said.
Goen also acknowledges that the club has recognized the challenges and problems it the program has faced, but said it is part of the process of taking risks and being innovative. They will only learn from their failures for future projects and continue to push students to step out of their comfort zones.
“Service learning is important because it gives us a chance to take a step back from school and examine broader issues that are relevant in our communities,” Siqueira said.
